Career

McClure's best known role was perhaps in the 1978 film Superman, playing photographer Jimmy Olsen. McClure reprised his role as Jimmy Olsen in Superman II, Superman III, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace and in the 1984 movie Supergirl. He is the only actor to appear in the same role in all four Christopher Reeve-era Superman films and Supergirl. Sam Huntington took over the role in Superman Returns.

In a flashback to his Superman days, McClure appeared on the CW's Smallville. McClure appeared as Dax-Ur, a Kryptonian scientist who has been living on Earth for over 100 years.

Besides Jimmy Olsen, McClure's other well known role is in the 1985 hit film Back to the Future as Dave McFly. He reprised his role in Back to the Future Part II (though his only scene was not included in the theatrical version) and Back to the Future Part III. In addition, McClure appeared in the 1976 film Freaky Friday and the 2003 remake. He also starred in the 1978 film I Wanna Hold Your Hand and the 1980 film Used Cars alongside Back to the Future co-star Wendie Jo Sperber. Both of these films were also directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale who created Back to the Future.

He has made guest appearances in many TV shows, including Happy Days, Hunter, The Shield and Cold Case.